GOP lawmaker says ‘50-50’ chances he will run for Reid’s Senate seat

Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) says there’s a “50-50” chance he will run for retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) seat. 

“I’d leave it at 50-50 for now,” he told The Hill on Wednesday. “We’re still considering it. I’ve got to have a discussion with my family, and hopefully we’ll come to a decision soon.”

Heck, a one-star general in the U.S. Army Reserves who chairs a House Armed Services Committee subpanel, received a major boost Tuesday when Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) said he wouldn’t seek the open seat.

{mosads}Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison (R), former Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki (R), Nevada state Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson (R) and several other state and local officials are considering potentials bids.

Former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto (D), Reid’s chosen successor, is the only Democrat in the race.

Heck said he doesn’t have a set timeframe for making a campaign announcement.

“We don’t have a specific timeline, we’d like to make it as soon as possible, just for the sake of providing some stability,” he said. “But it’s going to be dependent on my family and mine’s conversation to see how we go.”